Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
Hi, just bought an XL250 Motorsport from the local wrecker. Gonna give building a cafe style brat a go. I will try to keep progress up to date but I go away with work a lot, so it is gonna take time. Super keen to get into it! Bike is all original, even still has the tool kit and the last owners bike licence......which expired in 1977. Haha!
A few bits of inspiration for the build. I wan to keep the cost as low as possible just to see what I can achieve without sacrificing quality. I have built several cars in the past but this is the first bike. Hopefully the skills transfer nicely.
The beginning. Started the tear down. Lots of good bits. Lots of rust too! Most of it seems to be surface rust and the frame is good to go. Fork seals are busted tank has two minor dents and the engine is filth. The rims look like they have some minor pitting but I won't know till I get the tyres off. The spokes are spent. Well and truly. Turned the bars upside down to get an idea of clip ons. Haha
great score !!! ;D
i had one of those when i was 15 years old ! rode it to high school then went on to racing with it and won many trophies 8)
get it running FIRST before you put much time in it
check valve clearances before you do anything if they are real wide it is a sad sign
pull the clutch cover carefully clean out the centrifugal trap
do a full tune-up etc
keep stock airfilter and pipe until later in the project
Thanks. When I got it the bloke said it wouldn't run. Took it home and had a fiddle with the timing and cleaned the carb. Valve clearances were a bit tight so I adjusted them and viola. She ran. I need to pop the head and have a look but there wasn't too much smoke. I want to run a foam pod filter eventually so I'm guessing I will need to either rejet or at least tune the carb. Thanks.
Pretty much completed the stripping today. Still have the Swingarm on and a few odd bits. The frame is in good condition. I got to work removing the obvious tabs I won't need. Started off by hacksawing the larger bits off to ensure I didn't touch the frame tube. Then I used the grinding disc to remove the slag etc. Quick coat of paint to keep the rust at bay. Good to go. Next I am going to pull down the forks and figure out how much I want to lower them. Does anyone know of a supplier of fork rebuild kits etc??
Pulled the forks down. Top tubes are pitted a bit but I think they will be fine for the look I want. Seals are well and truly bent so I need to find a supplier who isn't charging the earth. Got some aluminium tube for the lowering only to find it doesn't fit in the owners by about 0.5mm. @&$!? I thought about using PVC but it seems a bit dicey when that is quite a critical point on the bike. Ah we'll on I go....
Thanks Rich, I am thinking I will keep the rack for now but if I do decide to let it go you'll be the first to hear about it. Thanks for the links. They do have some good bits. Going through the process of sourcing bits and pieces at the moment so that once I have them it will be full steam ahead.
No problem. I got a chance to chase some much bigger bikes around with mine at the Thaw and I'll suggest that you go through and tighten...everything. I lost about three pounds of parts in two days.
So! After a couple of months of work trips and generally procrastinating I am back to the garage. I am trying to figure out how the seat is going to look. I really like the cafe style hump but am struggling to get the shape right because of the small tank and quite wide frame in the rear. I think I need to sit the seat on the frame, not 'around' it. Few ideas attached but none are making me happy.......
So. I have lowered the forks and put them back on the frame to get an idea of how the bike will sit. I think that this will effect the design of the seat/tail. I like the way it sits now and I also plan on raising the rear of the tank to give it a slicker line.
What he said. My 71 XL is the only dirt bike I have had that has held together. Looks nearly the same as yours did when you picked it up, just minus the crust.
So. I have lowered the forks and put them back on the frame to get an idea of how the bike will sit. I think that this will effect the design of the seat/tail. I like the way it sits now and I also plan on raising the rear of the tank to give it a slicker line.
they handle really well with the stock geometry, i know this for a fact i rode one on the street for a few thousand miles then raced mx on it
what he has done there is beyond any rational thinking
Ok, so I can see it doesn't take too much to bait out the loudmouths. Haha. I'm not exactly sure which motorcycle manufacturer you guys all design for but I do sincerely enjoy the 'well educated' and unproductive comments. I have never professed to be right all the time and certainly am a long way from decided on how this project is going to progress. I do, on the other hand know where my manners are and I also know when I'm being rude. Maybe you guys should have a think about that yourselves. I like the idea of getting feedback on what is know to work and what is undesirable but let's try to keep the comments productive. Either that or fuck off and mind your own business. Thanks
On the build though, I have stripped the forks down again, as they were only dry fitted to get a look at the geometry. I'm still undecided if the look of the bike is quite right? I don't plan on fitting rearset pegs which is making me think that instead of clip-ons I should go with a flat style bar or maybe a really low rise? Hmmm. Anyway, got a quote back from the powdercoating company and it looks like about $500 for the frame and swing arm, which is not following my budget build. Well on with polishing and deciding.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.